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what is the actual meaning of "would" and "could"? (lemmy.ca)

submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

50 comments fedilink hide all child comments

hii,

I am learning English for around 5 years and I still can't comprehend the meaning of "would" and "count" in some context. are they just past form of "will" and "can"?

"would you like coffee" means a person is asking if you liked coffee in past? "I would do it" means I did it in past?

I really don't understand since my language doesn't have anything like those words.

Edit: Thank you for answering my naive question :)

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I would love to help you, but I couldn't possibly do that.

😋

[–] [email protected] 17 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I would love it if you could have helped me.

Did I get it right? :D

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago (1 children)

You would have got it perfect if you had said “I would have loved it if you could have helped me”, but you could say that you got it right.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

American - i would have said you would have gotten it perfect if you had said...

Brits prefer got?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

No, I think gotten is better there, my sloppiness

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

I think the ideal phrasing is slightly different than the other poster. I would instead say "I would love it if you could help me" as that leaves open the possibility of present/future help. Saying "could have helped" presumes that it cannot be done anymore.